Winters beginning Chapter 14.
Codex entry Yeager 1
Founded just four hundred years before Earths industrial revolution the colony world of Yeager 1 is the Yautja's new attempt at creating a means to better their society. The location being nearly equal in distance between Earth and Yautjia prime, as well as being a gold mine of rare metals on the planet and in the system, caused its purpose to be changed into a greater experiment.
While numerous colonies exist thanks to the Yautja's semi nomadic nature, Yeager 1 came as a result of being under the Council and not a clan. This is because the renewed purpose wasn't just to be a place where all clans can call home but as an insurance against any potential galactic threats. While not advertised at all besides being a colony, Yeager one quickly became the first legitimate fortress world of the Yautja and in a fraction of the time compared to other the planets, witnessed a population explosion.
Today the planet is host to a staggering hundred million yautja and that number is estimated to double shortly. One of the worlds short comings is its winters in the northern hemisphere which don't suit well to yautia biology in that at low temperatures, pregnant females can become sterile or even killed as the extreme cold destroys their eggs and freezes them from the inside out.
Despite this, the planet's ecosystem and diversity while limited has shown a great many similarities to Earth minus the fact that Yeager 1 is 5% larger. Its lack of any real dangerous game is the primary reason many clans don't visit the planet unless needing ships repaired or upgraded. This helps maintain the front that the planet is nothing special and as such Bad bloods rarely attack and those that do are never heard from again.
This is do in large part to the vast number of moons and asteroids in the system, plus the planet boasts an ever increasing number of orbital defense platforms of different types. The other reason is the ever growing number of Warships built by the shipyards. The true number of these vessels is unknown but its likely to be in hundreds to thousands if not more, ranging from massive battleships to small corvettes. All under the direct command of the Yautja council.
On the surface the planet sports deserts, forests, and oceans but due to having higher gravity the tallest mountain only climbs to twenty thousand feet. However the cities, farms, and bases wouldn't look out of place on heavily populated worlds since at a glance one wouldn't think its populated by interstellar killers. However despite looking like any other urban sprawl on Earth the Predators have concealed a considerable number of shield emitters, and retracted turrets across the cities. The fact the entire population knows how to kill is an equally terrifying prospect for any potential ground assault.
Location Yeager 1 somewhere in the mountains.
I thought I knew strength and endurance training but this is just plane crazy. No ropes, no pulley's and no hooks, climbing a rock face in full gear. Wolf led by example and made it up this rock with ease, while I'm carrying half my weight in weapons and armor. Thanks to all my conditioning and habits the weight isn't an issue, no its the stupid rock face that can't handle it given its smooth texture requiring a death grip to hold on. So unlike like wolf I'm having to think quick or risk falling to my death. What scares me the most is the muscles in my hands are burning from this and the top is just within site.
Huffing, Winter finally makes it to the top and rolls on his back to take a breather, only to bring his rifle to bear in an instant when Wolf brought his foot on Winters rib armor.
"Very good Winter I see your instincts are holding up just fine and do I finally sense fear." According to his bio Winter never attempted rock climbing at least not without proper equipment. Wolf found this quite amusing
"As an honest Yautja no, I'm not afraid, I'm terrified, from this altitude my chances of survival are slim to none. The added weight of my armor wouldn't help either but know this master I will kill you before I'm half way off." I don't normally fear death however the instinct finally making itself known has made me realize, that Its not death I fear but how I die.
"Very good Winter, for the next week you will be climbing this mountain every cycle until that fear is either erased or you learn to deal with it. Your cautious nature belies the lack of risk taking an Elite needs to achieve their goal, you must do things the prey wouldn't think to do but most importantly you must be swift. Your armor slows you down so you need to bolster your strength to match many of us that don't use as much armor." To be frank I've studied Winters weapons and armor in detail as the young one was quite giddy and would never shut up about them when asked about their use and function.
Because of his obsession with weapons I know for certain the weapon he has aimed at my head would rip through me will little difficulty The AP rounds alone despite using dense material aren't acid proof, hence why the queens head wasn't taken as a trophy after Winters last mission. What was left was little more then a crown, the rest having been blown apart and torn when she hit the dirt.
"Now Winter its time to see how quickly you can get down." Wolf like a mad Yautja just drops and begins descending at a speed one would consider impossible.
Note so self never challenge Wolf or anyone else to a rock climbing race, I will loose. Winter begins his slow decent down the mountain. Knowing his hands and feet will be sore in the morning.
Death was not a happy camper at this time as his life mate Zusa finally had time to tear him a new one, literally.
" You overprotective, Elite hating, sadistic meatbag! Do you have any idea when the last time I slept was thanks to your doing!? Dagger my precious boy has turned into a ravenous monster bent on killing anything with purple on it. How that translated into beating other unblooded recruits into a bloody pulp I'm still trying to figure out. Its also thanks to your doing that I've been so busy keeping everyone alive that I've had to use stimulants just to stay awake." Zuza's eye's were red from sleep deprivation and while their race can go longer without sleep then humans they still had limits.
It was for this reason why I asked for Kals help, not just to help clean up my mess but to act as yet another meat shield against Zuza's wrath. In the centuries we've been together she has only shown wrath in the form of medicine. However, this time she did that and more. Once I managed to get the other instructors to stop, things finally began to quiet down but then Zuza cornered me in the mess hall with others looking and decided to have her way with me.
Striker once described the pleasure as a narcotic, its obvious he never had his skin torn open only to have that retched blue gel applied while still in the middle of mating. Add to it the humiliation of being exposed and Zuza riding me like a lust filled Demon and boom! Zuza became the most feared female on base and she did this to me for hours of unrelenting pain and humiliation. I know I passed out at some point only to be awakened again by those same stimulants, she was relentless. Now after all that pain and torture she asks me this! Death ponders.
"I'm sorry and If I had to guess at least ten cycles?" For once in his life Death actually wanted to be anywhere but here, heck even challenging Wolf now seems like a better idea.
"Fifteen Cycles and not once have I slept, now you get to play healer while I sleep for a few cycles". Zuza walks off to their quarters. Leaving Death slack jawed.
How in the flying centanu did she remain that functional without killing anyone? Death pondered and then proceeded to the infirmary, the base had other healers and healers in training but apparently Zuza decided she needed to help out to prevent any real accidents. Paya help me if she got pregnant from that fiasco. If she did then the next kid, male or female will be named Wrath and I'm taking the story of how he or she is conceived to my grave.
" Alright while Death is indisposed we are going to cover the more technical aspect of your training namely for those of you who wish to join the fleet ranks." Spoke Kal,
"lets start with a recent enemy called the Ez'is, can anyone of you inform me what they look like? Sickle, thank you for volunteering"
"Sir they are larger then humans yet smaller then us with features more akin to an ancient human with carnivorous teeth."
" Very good, at first glance they appear to be our height but this is do to their more lanky structure, the skin, they have seems to remain slim yet flexible. Upon examining the corpses and those that made it on Yautia prime alive the outer structure of skin can change and adapt from punishment. This means the skin or natural armor gets stronger when subjected to punishment and shows the ability to seal off infected area's with ease. Its for this reason the Ez'is don't use much in the way of medical technology like we do.
On top of this they are covered in a bulky armor which makes them look larger then they actually are. This is useful when conquering other races, however upon examining it, it was discovered that said armor is crude to say the least." Kal immediately see's a hand pop up.
"But Kal sir, we were told the Ez'is had comparable technology to us. Are you saying they are less advanced?" Inquired Scraper
"If by comparable you mean a ten thousand year old mother ship being a match against an Ez'is warship, then yes we are comparable. Do they have energy weapons like we do, yes is that their preference oddly enough no. Its why we call their assault on Yaujtia prime a skirmish. The Ez'is technology is indeed less advanced when it comes to more modern motherships and weaponry. Its their numbers that made them comparable as their race is birth or created very quickly. During the skirmish on our homeworld they sent scores of blood thirsty warriors, relying on numbers and over whelming firepower. Effective if you have proper intel on the enemy and know where to strike and how to use it. They didn't hence why the battle only lasted a few cycles and the treaty was signed.
That said we don't know how they are born, what we do know is their armor quality is quite low and made with weaker yet more easily accessed raw materials. But don't kid your selves this stuff is thick and will stop both blades and bullets unless using a large caliber weapon like what my friend Winter uses. Plasma castors have little issue in burning through it and the poor soul inside it. Any questions so far?" Kal asked the class.
None answered, "Good, also they are greedy meatbags, as they aren't afraid to sell or extort planets they've conquered or can't conquer. Very few have a trading relationship with them for whatever reason we still don't know. Their culture is quite reclusive and hard to study even more so since meeting us. Since we don't know much at this point anyway since after the treaty was finalized we gave back what few were still alive. The Treaty does state they can't enter into our space, attack hunting planets, or extinguish any race they conquer.
Now then tomorrow, Death has a training exercise set up with other groups hmm okay then. In preparation please go to troop tactics on your data pad".
It is said boredom can make one loose their minds, one man described it quite eloquently as loosing it, It means go crazy, nuts, insane, bonzo, no longer in control of ones faculties, three fries short of a happy meal, Wacko!
It was to this end that Kima had decided to get out and try piloting some of the interceptors and heavier craft in what has been named the gauntlet of flight testing.
"Paya this female is insane, wanted to try something new she said, wanted to feel some excitement she said, wanted to chance death is not what she said." Ripsaw thought aloud. "Kima these craft have already been tested but your lifemate will not be happy if you end up killing yourself."
" In that case let us try something a little more daring shall we." Hitting the forward thrusters and arresting her momentum she angles the 916 interceptor to head straight for the planet.
"pauk, PCS Shadow, this is Ripsaw permission to target her engines or at the very least disable them".
"This is Shadow permission denied, this gives us an excuse to test planetary cannons on a fast mover, settings are low to cause minimal damage to shields"
"Did you get that Kima?"
"Oh yes I needed this, are you aware humans use music to help improve their focus, I wonder if its true." Kima hadn't had such a rush since Spirit came to visit now it was time to have some fun. Selecting a peace of music scanned by her son when he was last on Earth. Opening the coms she selects Eyes Of The World by Eric Martin.
Okay this female has researched humans way to much but by Cetanu is it working. " Alright Kima lets have some fun, planetary cannons are being deployed at minimal power so lets give Elder Lance a show." Ripsaw mandibles were wide in his helmet mask as he proceeds to open up the throttle.
Banking and burning at insane speeds both craft come screaming through the atmosphere.
Inside his office a young blood barges in on Elder Lance.
"Sir the commander of the PCS Shadow just sent a message to engage planetary defensive systems on training mode. Something to do with Kima wanting a rush?"
"Really this wouldn't happen to be Kima, lifemate to Striker would it?" Lance asked.
"Checking, yes it it, how did you know".
" I didn't that's why I asked, but given that family's propensity for insane stunts it only makes sense that it be one of them doing something this entertaining. Besides boredom also has a tendency of making one do things just to stave it off for a while and since Kima isn't a warrior or a caregiver anymore. Its only natural for her to try out the new craft and keep her skills sharp.
In this case keeping everyone sharp since the ever growing Warships and trained soldiers have quite possibly the most mundane job in the galaxy. Its why crews are constantly swapped out for missions and hunting assignments with the Corvettes. As these craft allow for both discrete hunting to keep our senses sharp, plus trophy's as well as a test bed for tech later incorporated into the much larger vessels. Still I'll make it a point to do something like this yearly as to raise the spirits up and test new invasion tactics since we now have enough in the fleet and ground units do to such a thing.
Now let us head to the command and control center and see who will win this wargame." Ah yes to say this colony is boring is a fallacy, Death was right I have been spending too much time with Striker. Then again maybe the cold season is messing with my head, of course I've also heard pups and unblooded have taken snow ball battles to the next level.
Across the city of Voi, sirens started going off with the intention of it being an unexpected training exercise. Turrets started to pop up and targeting systems engaged. The sudden sound of large sonic booms echoed following the screaming sound of Predator interceptors attempting to dodge the incoming fire.
"Just when I thought I new what this craft could do, this suicidal female shows differently and boy is this proving to be a rush. This odd music also is proving effective at what its doing to my nerves". Just barely missing various plasma rounds Ripsaw's altitude was just above the ground combined with the extreme turns its amazing the inertia dampeners have held up so far, mostly.
"Lance is that the best you can do I'm thinking of shooting back at your turrets". Kima smiled
In the control room everyone was stunned as Kima and Ripsaw were keeping just below the turrets just after barely managing to get past them."Operator how much damage would the surface to space torpedo's do to those craft at minimal settings" Inquired Lance
"They would be forced to eject but I wouldn't recommend it in an urban environment sir".
"Very well then scramble the 8th squadron, have them force Kima out of the city then have an ODP target them with secondary weapons but only with the targeting lasers if that doesn't work have them open up training settings only."
"Elder how do we know when one side wins or not?" This caused everyone's heads to turn now realizing that this excersize may get a little complicated as there are no preset parameters for this unexpected drill.
For the first time in a while Elder Lance wanted to face palm, now realizing that normally a target lock is all that is needed for game over. In this situation however a more interesting concept came to mind.
"As soon as the eighth gets them out of the city fire a dummy torpedo at them if it hits Kima's fighter then she looses if not and it gets destroyed then she wins. Now send the order."
"Ah that's nice. Too bad its summer or I'd just stick my joints into the cold snow." Winter proclaimed while sticking medical coolant on his hands and feet.
"I don't get it, your bones are now considerably denser and stronger then the average Yautja. Yet here you are after a week of climbing up and down a slippery mountain with callouses and blisters." Spirit specified nonchalantly.
"Just because I can put a dent into a bulkhead doesn't mean I don't feel pain. Besides Wolf had me take my special armored gloves off to improved my gripping and harden my skin. The good news is I can now scale steep inclines with greater ease and confidence. The bad news is now he is going to drill into me the art of the combi stick which sadly is pissing him off to a greater degree". Winter elaborates
" Yea you never did quite learn to figure out how to incorporate such a weapon into your human martial arts techniques. I'm sure even Wolf has a skill set he is weak in"
" He managed to successfully pull off a three mile shot at a Kewi running at full speed and he did this twice. Once with my barret M82A3 and again with my Browning M2." Winter says condescendingly
Spirit had to do a double take at what Winter just said. Wolf pulled that off with weapons he would likely never use and likely achieved a new record to boot.
"Yea I know he's good but its thanks to him I have to carry a combi stick everywhere I go and." Right then and there the unmistakable sound of starships flying low and fast ripped bast the building they were in. The unmistakable sounds of weapons fire could be heard followed by the announcement of an unexpected training exercise.
"Is that human music I just heard?" Inquired Spirit
" I guess boredom finally got to her, my mother has been listening to all the songs I scanned on my last visit to earth."
"Would that include a song involving a purple Dinosaur?" Spirit now had a critical eye toward her friend.
"No and if there is it didn't come from my scans, I'm not the only one who visits that planet, why do you ask?"
Great must have been his training with Wolf to not hear about it. Which is surprising since every yautja on the planet and likely the entire galaxy heard about it. Well at least most of everyone on Yeager one and while Winter maybe serious even he recognizes when something is funny or in this case hilarious. "Oh I'll have to tell you later when I have the full story but word of warning do not wear anything purple or mention the color to my youngest sibling." The gears in Spirits brain turning knowing that when the full story comes Winter and Scythe will be unable to function as they laugh their mandibles off.
"So who do you think will win this unexpected war game Spirit?" Inquired Winter, letting the other stuff go until she is ready to tell him. Though keeping a mental note to ask Kal what song involves such an odd creature.
"All I know is this, whoever wins we loose as both the Healers and mechanics are bound to be busy after this. Anyway your treatment is complete and if I were you best see to it your armored gloves get an upgrade, maybe even your whole armor. Since we can't go outside till this is over care to join me for lunch"
"Wolf gave me the cycle off to recuperate so please lead the way."
Okay not the best ending for this chapter which has been killing me for months. Boredom became the subject because when I was bored my mind wondered to places that worked quite well. Finally I swear Fifteen will be the final chapter, I finish what I start
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